Speed-beducing mechauisic



W. G. JONES.

SPEED REDUCING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9. I918.

Patented Dec. 2, 1919.

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W. G. JONES.

SPEED REDUCING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-9.1918.

1 ,32 3 ,985. Patented Dec. 2, 1919.

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W. G. JONES.

SPEED REDUCING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9- 1918- Patented Dec. 2,1919.

6 SHEETSSHEET 3 lnz/enior. Warren 6. Jones W. G. JONES. SPEED REDUCING MECHANlSM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9. 1918.

1,323,985. I Patented Dec. 2,1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4- W. G. JONES.

I SPEEQREDUCING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9. 1918.

Patented Dec. 2,1919.

6 SHEETSSHEET 5 W. G. JONES.

SPEED REDUCING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9. 1918.

1 23,985, Patented Dec. 2, 1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

50 3 J6 O {I "a v 0 o Mpg i 7ZZ/fi665/ 774/" "677 a J SPEED-REDUCING MECSM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2, 1919.

Application filed September 9, 1918. Serial No. 253,274. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WARREN G. Jones, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Speed-Reducing Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has to do with certain improvements in speed reducing mechanisms whereby power delivered from one machine at a certain speed or number of revolutions per minute is converted into power at another speed or number of revolutions per minute. Since the power is proportional to the speed multiplied by the torque, it follows that as the speed is changed the torque will be changed in inverse ratio.

Machines of this kindare used in a wide number of applications, but chiefly for the reduction of speed and increase of torque. Examples of applications of this kind are in the driving of traveling conveyors, hoists, presses, etc. In many of the practical applications of machines of this kind, the multiplication of torque and division of speed will be as great as five hundred times.

One of the objects of the present invention is to providean extremely simple form of machine of this type, but nevertheless one which is so designed and constructed as to readily withstand the very large forces which are transmitted. The necessity of accomplishing this result will appear when it is considered that the transmission of a number of horse-power at a few revolutions per minute will necessitate the use of a very large torque.

In this connection, another object is to so mount the various gears and shafts as to give them perfect points of bearing and support. One objection to certain previous forms of construction has been that certain of the pinions were carried by stub shafts or pins finding only one point of support or hearing.

' Another object of the invention is to provide for a very perfect lubrication of all of the gears and bearings, so that these parts will be flushed with oil at all times.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the n th features f llaled in a construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a gear reducing mechanism embodying the features of the present invention on line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; 7

Fig. 3 shows a view similar to Fig. 2, except that it is looking in the direction of the arrows 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section through a gear reducing mechanism similar to that of Fig. 1, with the exception that the construction shown in Fig. 4 differs from that of Fig. 1 in certain details of constructioh;

Fig. 5 shows a'section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 shows a section taken on line 66 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the high speed shaft 4 is designated by the numeral 4 and the low speed shaft by the numeral 5. Ordinarily the shaft 4 will be the power input shaft and the shaft 5 will be the power-delivery shaft. This will always be the case where the machine is used for reducing speed.

As a convenient form of construction, the various mechanisms are mounted within a cylindrical casing 6 having a fixed end wall 7 and a removable end wall 8. The end wall 8 is circular in form and seats against a circular flange 9 of the casing 6. Within the casing -6 is an annular inwardly extending flange 10, and a bearing ring 11 seats against this flange 10. The central portion of this Fig. 2 shows a vertical cross section taken 7 bearing ring or member 11 is open so as to accommodate the sleeve presently to be described. The end wall 7 is provided with a main bearing 12 for the high speed shaft 4, and the end wall 8 is provided w1th a main bearing 13 for the low speed shaft 5. The high speed shaft 4 has its innen end joursocket. 14 of the inner end of the low speed shaft 5, so that the two shafts together span the entire interior of the cas pinion 15 which meshes with three double gears numbered 16, 17, and 18, respectively, as shown in Fig. 2. Each of these double gears comprises a pinion 19 and a gear 20 mounted on a shaft 21. One end of said shaft finds a bearing in the end wall 7 at the point 22, and the other end thereof finds a bearing in the ring 11 at the point 23. A. convenient form of construction is one in which the shaft 21 and the pinion 19 are made integral, the gear 20 being keyed to the shaft as illustrated. The various gears 20 mesh with the pinion 15 and are driven thereby, thus effecting the first reduction'of speed.

Mounted on the shaft 4 at a point between the pinion 15 and the bearing 14 is a sleeve 24, the end portions 25 and 26 thereof being journaled on bushings which ride on the shaft 4. Between these bushings is the oil space 27 which delivers oil to both of the bushings. On the.end '25 of the sleeve 24 is mounted a gear 28 which meshes with the various pinions 19 and is driven by said pinions. This constitutes the second re duction of speed.

Mounted on the end 26 of the sleeve 25 is a pinion 29. A convenient form of construction is one in which the, pinion 29 and the sleeve 24 are formed integral, the gear 28 being keyed to the sleeve. It is to be observed that the sleeve spans the space occupied by the bearing ring 11, the gear 28 being on one side of said bearing ring, and the pinion 29 being on the other side thereof.

Surrounding the pinion 29 is a series of three shafts 30. 31 and 32-. The inner end 33 of each of these shafts finds a bearing in the ring 11. and the other end 34 thereof finds a bearing in the removable end wall 8. The shafts 30, 31 and 32 are located at points intermediate the shafts 16, 17, and 18. as is well shown in Fig. 2, so that all six of the bearings of said shafts are located alternately within the ring 11. This makes it possible to shorten up the overall dimensions of the machine by an amount equal to the space which would otherwise be occupied by one of the bearings. because if two of the bearings (for example. the bearings of the shafts 18 and 30,) were to be in alinement with each other, an axial distance suflicient to accommodate both of them in alinement would be necessary.

Mounted on each of the shafts 30, 31 and 32 is a pinion 35 and a gear 36. A convenient form of construction is one in which each shaft and its pinion are formed integral, the gear being keyed to the shaft. All of the gears 36 mesh with the pinion 29 and are driven thereby. This constitutes the third reduction of speed.

Mounted on the shaft 5, or formed integral'therewith, is apinionf37 which meshes accomplish this result. In some cases there may be actually no reduction of speed, but simply a transmission of power, depending,

of course, upon the details of the particular design in question.

It will be observed from an examination of Fig. 1 in particular, that the sizes ofv the teeth and their lengths axially of the machine are different in the different sets of gears and pinions. increasing as the power travels from the shaft 4 toward the shaft 5. This is done for the purpose of taking care of the increasing torques and pressures encountered as the shaft 5 is approached. The arrangement of gears and bearings herein disclosed is very well adapted for accommodating the increasing size'of the gears and teeth. and, therefore. lends itself very well to this type of machine.

I will now explain more in detail the sys tem of oiling herein "illustrated. The casing is oil-tight and a suitable amount of oil may be introduced into its lower portion so that some of the gears will run continually in said oil and carry and splash it upward into the upper portion of the machine. The bearings 22 are provided with oil holes 38 into which oil running down from the gears 20 will enter so as to flush said bearings.

Each of said bearings. is also provided with an inner recess 39 for the accommodation of additional. oil. The bearing 12 is provided with an opening 40 through which oil running down from the gears 20 will enter and thus flush said bearing. This bearing 12 is provided with a cup or recess 42 in its lower portion, a ring-41 running over the shaft and carrying the oil upward from said cup. An annular recess 43 surrounds the outer end of said bearing, said recess communicating with the cup 42 by a passage 44 through which surplus oil is returned to the cup. The cup is allowed to overflow back into the casing by a passage 45.

' It will be observed that the faces of the gears 20 and 28 do not contact each other, but that on the contrary a space 46 is left between said gears. This space is for the purpose of permitting oil, which may enter between the teeth of the pinion 15 and the gears 20, to squeeze out from said teeth. The space 47 between the gear 36 and the pinions 37 similar result.

' 'FigS. 4, 5, and 6.

"Oil enters the space 27 between the sleeve 2% and the shaft 4 through an opening 48 so as to flush the bearings which carry said sleeve. The shaft 5 is conveniently oiled by a grease cup 19 of familiar construction.

In the construction shown in Figs. i, 5, and 6, the casing or frame comprises a central tubular or cylindrical member 50 in conjunction with front and back heads 51 and 52, respectively. These heads are removably connected to the central portion of the casing in any suitable manner. The cylindrical section 50 carries an inwardly extending rib or flange 53, within which are located the bearing 51, 55, and 56 for the inner end of the shafts of the double gears 16, 17, and 18. The outer ends of said shafts are located in suitable bearings of. the front head 51, The flange 53 also carries bearings 57, 58, and 59 for the inner ends of the shafts 30, 31, and 32, as shown 'in Fig. 6. The outer ends of these shafts are suitably journaled in the back head 52. The arrangement of gears and their relative functions are the same in the construction shown in Figs.- 4, 5, and 6 as in the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In the construction of Figs. 4, 5, and 6, any suitable oiling system may be used, and in fact the oiling system therein illustrated has already been explained. However, in the present case, the main front bearing 12 is provided with an oil inlet connection 40 in its central portion, and with an oil return connection 60 near its front end by which the oil is returned to the inside of the easing so as to prevent any possible leakage to the outside.

It is to be observed in connection with the arrangement of Figs. 1, 2, and 3, that the matter of constructing the cylindrical casing 6, including the head 7 and flange 10, might present serious difliculties on account of the necessity of coring the space between said head and flange. Also such difficulties.

are overcome in the construction shown in I wish to point out particularly the fact that each of the shafts herein illustrated has two points of support or bearin outside of the pinion and gear whic are mounted on it, so that it will be perfectly supported, and so that the power will be transmitted without a tendency to bend or deflect the shaft.

ile I have herein shown and described only a single embodiment of the features of my invention, still it will be understood that l do not limit myself to the said embodiment except as I may do so in the claims.

It is to be observed that the use of an- I claim:

1L In a device of the class described, the

combination of a cylindrical casing, a low speed shaft journaled in one end thereof, a high speed'shaft journaled in the other end thereof, said low speed shaft being provided on its inner end with a journaled socket for I the inner side of an end wall of the casing, a

plurality of double gears in the interior of the casing and spaced equidistantly around said pinion, each of said double gears comprising a shaft j ou'rnaled on its outer end in the end wall of the casing and journaled on its inner end in said bearing support, a gear on said shaft meshing with said pinion, and a pinion on said shaft co-axia-l with said gear, a sleeve journaled on the high speed shaft intermediate the low speed shaft and the pinion. of the high speed shaft, said sleeve extending past said bearing support, a gear on one end of said sleeve meshing with the pinion of each of said double gears, a pinion on the other end of said sleeve, a plurality of shafts in the interior of the cas ing spaced equidistantly around the low speed shaft, each of said shafts having its inner end journaled in said bearing support at a point intermediate each of the journals low speed shaft, and a pinion on each of the three shafts aforementioned meshing with the gear on the low speed shaft, substantially as described.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a cylindrical casing having a pair of end walls and also having an annular' bearing support on its interior portion intermediate said end walls, a high speed shaft journaled in one end of the casing, a low speed shaft journaled in the other end of the casing, both of said shafts projecting. into the interior of the machine and bein journaled together, a pinion on the big speed shaft in the interior of the casing, a gear on the low speed shaft in the interior of the casing. a sleeve journaled on the high speed shaft betweensaid pinion and said gear, a gear on the high speed end of said thereon a gear meshing with the pinion of the high speed shaft and a pinion meshing with the gear of the sleeve. all of said shafts being journaled in the end wall of the casing and in the bearing support, a plurality of double gears surrounding the low speed 'shaft and each comprising a shaft having one end journaled in the end wall of the casing and its other end journaled in said bearing support, and each of said shafts having thereon a gear meshing with the pinion of the sleeve. and a pinion meshinv with the gear of the low speed shaft. thefiast mentioned double gears having their shafts journaled in the bearing support at points intermediate the journal points of the shafts of the first mentioned double gears. substantially as described.

3. In a machine of the class described. the combination of an annular casing. a high speed shaft journaled in one end of said casing, a low speed shaft journaled in the other end of the casing. the high speed shaft having its inner end journaled in the inner end of the low speed shaft. a pinion on the high speed shaft. a gear on the low speed shaft. a sleeve journaled on the high speed shaft between said pinion and said gear, a gear on the high speed end of said sleeve, a. pinion on the low speed end of said sleeve, an annular bearing member in the interior of the casing surrounding said sleeve, a plurality of double gears journaled in said annular bearing member and in the end wall of the high speed end of the casing, each of said double gears comprisin a gear meshing with the pinion of the high speed shaft and a piniOn meshing with the gear of the sleeve, and a plurality of double gears journaled in said annular bearing member and in the end wall of the low speed end of the casing, said last mentioned double gears being staggered in position with respect to the first mentioned double gears, each of said last mentioned double ars comprising a gear meshing with the pinion on the said sleeve and a pinion meshing with the gear on the low speed shaft. substantially as described.

WARREN G. JOKES. 

